Effective Date: June 2022
Midwest Reliability Organization, Inc. (“MRO”, “us”, “we”, or “our”) believes it is a good business practice to disclose to you how your personal information and use of and activity on www.mro.net (the “Website” or “Site”) may be used by us. This Privacy Policy is intended to describe in a straight-forward and easily understandable manner:
By accessing the Website, you are agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Privacy Policy and are agreeing that you are giving us your consent to track your activities and your use of the Site through the technologies described below, as well as similar technologies developed in the future, and that we may use such tracking technologies in emails and newsletters that we send to you. If you have questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, please feel welcome to contact us.
Information We Collect
We collect information about you so we can continue to provide and improve our Site, services available through the Site, if applicable, (“Services”), and for security purposes. The information we may collect about you, includes, but is not limited to, your name, street address, date of birth (if applicable), telephone number, email address(es), IP address(es), domain name(s), topics you are interested in, reasons for contacting us, and any information you provide to us. The information collected on this Site may be stored at servers, computers, or other media located in or outside the United States.
Unauthorized attempts to upload or change information on, or otherwise cause damage to the Site is strictly prohibited. We (or third parties on our behalf) may monitor all network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information, or otherwise cause damage or conduct criminal activity. If such monitoring reveals evidence of possible misuse or criminal activity, such evidence may be provided to law enforcement authorities. Anyone using the Site consents to such monitoring and disclosure.
Third-Party Sources
Other than described herein, we generally do not obtain information about you for third-party sources related to your use of the Site.
Information Collection Technology (Google Analytics, Analytics Cookies and Web)
We use Google Analytics, including Google Analytics 4 (GA4), cookies and other technologies to collect information from your device that accesses the Site, track user behavior, and analyze and understand how you and others are using the Site. We may collect and store non-personally identifying information through cookies, log files, clear gifs (commonly known as “web beacons”), and third parties to, in part, profile and track user activity and preferences. Technical and specification information about your browser and computer is automatically collected when you use or visit the Site. This information may include your Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, your browser type, operating system, access time(s), the content of previously accepted “cookies” from us, and the website address that referred you to our Site.
A cookie or an analytics cookie is data stored on your computer that tracks non-personal information about you. When using our Site, we may assign your computer one or more cookies that enable us to improve the quality of our Service and to personalize your experience. Cookies allow us to automatically collect information about your activity on our Site, such as the content you access while on our Site, the links you click, and other activity you conduct while using our Site.
Our Site may also contain web beacons (also known as “clear gifs”) or similar technologies that gather non-personally identifiable information about your use of our Site. Such technology, like cookies, may also be contained in e-mail messages or newsletters from us that allow us to determine whether messages have been accessed. The purpose of our use of this technology is so that we may analyze the effectiveness of our marketing efforts, the quality of our Site, and the Services we provide.
In summary, as noted above, we may use cookies, web beacons, and other technologies (i) to develop, provide, maintain, customize, protect, and improve our Site and Services, (ii) to perform analytics, including to analyze and report on usage and performance of our Site and any marketing materials, (iii) to protect against, identify, and prevent fraud and other unlawful activity, (iv) to create aggregate data about groups or categories of our users, and (v) to market or offer our Services.
You may choose to modify your web browser’s setting to disable cookies, delete cookies, or limit their use. If you choose to disable, delete, or limit cookies, you are still able to access our Site, but you may be unable to use all the features on our Site.
Additional information about cookies may be found at: www.microsoft.com/info/cookies.htm. You can find out more information about Google Analytics by visiting: https://developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/collection/analyticsjs/cookie-usage.
Personal Information About Users Under 18 Years of Age Not Collected
The Site is solely directed towards or intended for adults and those who have reached the age of majority as defined by the laws of their domicile. This Site is not meant for individuals under the age of 18 or those defined by the laws of their domicile as minors. Nonetheless, this Privacy Policy is still designed to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) to the extent COPPA applies to us and the Site. Accordingly, we do not knowingly collect or retain any personal information about users under the age of 13. If we obtain actual knowledge that we collected or retained personal information about a child under the age of 13, that information will be promptly deleted from our database, servers, and all other media. Since we do not collect information from users under 13 years old, no such information is disclosed to third-parties.
Information Others May Collect
To enhance security and promote operational efficiency, the Site utilizes the resources of reputable hosting facilities that are controlled by third-parties. MRO is unable to provide any guarantees or warranties about these third-parties’ retention or usage of your information.
Information Use and Sharing
You may decide to provide MRO with personal information that MRO may use to contact you regarding matters relating to MRO’s work as a Regional Entity, to facilitate an employment application or for other purposes. Except as outlined in this Privacy Policy, MRO does not share your personal information to third parties without your consent.
You acknowledge and agree that MROmay use and disclose your personal and non-personal information to public or private third parties: (i) for inspection by law enforcement officials (including in the case of potential criminal activity); (ii) to respond to cease and desist letters, arbitration proceedings, legal actions and suits, criminal and civil subpoenas, any court orders; (iii) to enforce or apply the terms of this Privacy Policy or any other agreement between us; and (iv) to protect the rights, property, or safety of MRO,our users, or others, whether during or after the term of your use of our Services. You also acknowledge and agree that our web design and hosting vendor(s) has/have access to all information (personal and non-personal information) collected through the Site, including the through the technologies referenced above.
Communications From MRO
Unless you opt out of certain communication features, we may use your information to communicate with you, such as through email, newsletters, and telephone. You may opt out and/or unsubscribe to communications from MRO at any time. See the Opt-Out Provisions and Updating Your Information section below for applicable contact information and directions.
Legal Process and Investigation Issues
From time to time, MROmay be required to respond to a subpoena or similar investigative demand from law enforcement, a court order, a government agency, or a private litigate. MROreserves all rights to defend, within its sole discretion, against such legal requests, demands, and claims. For instance, MROmay raise or waive legal objections or rights. MROalso reserves the right to disclose your information when we believe it is reasonably appropriate based on the situation. Such disclosure may occur, but is not limited to, disclosing your information in connection with efforts to: investigate, prevent, or commence other action regarding suspected illegal activity or other wrongdoing; to protect; defend the rights, property or safety of our company, our users, our employees, or others; comply with applicable law or cooperate with law enforcement; or enforce our Site Terms of Service or other agreements or policies.
Opt-Out Provisions and Review & Updating Your Information
We value our user’s privacy and provide them with the option to “opt-out” of having their information used for purposes not directly related to our Site or as described in the “Information Use and Sharing” Section of this Privacy Policy. The opt-out option is available at any time. If you wish to opt-out, or review/update your information, you can opt-out, or review and update your information, including any personally identifiable information, by writing a letter or sending an email to our Contact identified below.
Please note that opting out will only affect future activities or communications from us.
Information Retention and Security
MROmay store your information for more than one (1) year from the time of initial submission, as well as automated personal information we collect about you.
We take reasonable security measures to protect users’ information against unauthorized access, loss, alteration, or destruction. Despite these reasonable measures, we cannot guarantee our security measures are impenetrable. Therefore, although we take reasonable steps to secure your information, we cannot and do not promise or warrant that your information will always remain secure.
Visitors Outside the United States
This Privacy Policy is intended to cover collection of information on our Site from residents of the United States. The laws in other countries may or may not be as comprehensive as those in the United States. If you are a resident of another country or are visiting our Site from outside the United States, you acknowledge and agree that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located and our central database is operated. By using our Site, you acknowledge and agree that your information may be transferred to our facilities and those third parties with whom we share it as described in this Privacy Policy. If you are unwilling to accept these terms, then you agree that you will not use or access the Site or its Services.
Privacy Policy Updates and Revisions
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. We reserve the right to modify the Policy at any time without notice, so please review this Policy frequently. When changes are made to this Policy, we will revise the “Effective Date” at the top of this Privacy Policy. Your continued use of our Site or Services constitutes your understanding of this Privacy Policy and your agreement to it. Your continued use of our Site or Services after we have posted any revised Privacy Policy indicates your agreement to the changes unless you notify us otherwise.
If you wish to retain a copy of this privacy policy, you should print a copy for your records. From Internet Explorer, this can be accomplished by selecting file and then “print” from the dropdown menu.
Terms of Privacy Policy Survive
To the extent any terms of this Privacy Policy are held invalid and/or unenforceable by a court of law or a competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions of the Policy shall remain in full force and effect.
Limitations
MROis not a financial institution or other entity required by law to adopt or publish this or any other Privacy Policy. The adoption or publication of this Privacy Policy does not subject MROto any stricter duty in its collection, handling, storage and disclosure of nonpublic information than otherwise applies to MROunder applicable law. No person or entity shall have any right or recourse against MRO orits affiliates, agents, sponsors, or other related parties (if any) based on any alleged violation or noncompliance with this Privacy Policy by MRO.
Applicable Law
This Privacy Policy is governed under the laws of the state of Minnesota, without regard to its conflicts of law provisions. Any transaction that occurs through the Website is deemed to have occurred in the state of Minnesota.
If any controversy or dispute between or involving MRO were to arise out of or in connection with this Privacy Policy, the parties shall attempt to resolve such dispute in a prompt manner and in good faith. You agree that any claim, dispute, action, or litigation arising out of or relating to this Privacy Policy will be brought and maintained exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Ramsey County, Minnesota. Similarly, you agree and irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the state or federal courts located in Ramsey County, Minnesota, for the purpose of any litigation as set forth above. You expressly waive any objection of venue and jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, any argument that such litigation has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Contact
All inquiries regarding this Privacy Policy shall be addressed to:
Office of General Counsel
Midwest Reliability Organization, Inc.
380 St. Peter Street
Suite 800
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102
651-855-1760 (Main Office)
651-855-1712 (Fax)